Free Things to Do in Texas This Weekend: Dec. 1-3

It doesn't cost much to enjoy a weekend in Texas. If you're on the hunt for free fun, head to these events across the state—including a mohair fashion show, Christmas celebrations, and a community art project.

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Stephen C. Beachy Central Park turns into a winter wonderland this weekend. Attendees can enjoy old-fashioned hayrides, cookies and hot cocoa, music and dance performances, children's activities, real snow slides, and photos with Santa. Stick around when it gets dark for a special sight—more than 1 million lights decorate the beautiful 47-acre green through New Year's Day.

Get in the holiday spirit at this free three-day celebration, which kicks off with the Christmas tree lighting at City Hall. Additional activities include a lighted boat parade, children’s wonderland, and breakfast with Santa.

The usual Stockyards performances, including the cattle drive and the Pawnee Bill Wild West show, get a glimmer of holiday magic with additional activities such as story time with Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa, and music from carolers and children’s choirs. Head to the lawn of the Historical Livestock Exchange Building for all the merriment.

Once the sun sets, make your way to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park in the Hill Country for an evening of live holiday music by the Pearl Snaps, children's activities, lamplight tours of the former president’s boyhood home, a chuckwagon cooking demonstration, cowboy singing, poetry, and storytelling, and exhibits.

Interact with the community in a fun, creative, and purposeful way. Students from Midwestern State University are seeking volunteers to help them complete a mural inside the MLK Center. You will be guided through a tutorial, then it’s time to pick up the brush and get to work. You can see the final product when the mural is unveiled on Jan. 20.

Hill Country-based designer Dolores Vernor has made a career out of working with wool and mohair—her soft coats and shawls have been worn by Ann Richards, Hillary Clinton, and Kay Bailey Hutchinson. For nearly 20 years, the Crockett County Museum has been hosting an annual fashion show displaying Vernor’s latest creations made with animal hair from local ranches. Refreshments will be provided and door prizes will be awarded.

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Published monthly by the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Highways, the official travel magazine of Texas, encourages travel to and within the Lone Star State and tells the Texas story to readers around the world.